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IESO Releases Outlook for Electricity Supply in Ontario

TORONTO, May 24, 2011 /CNW/ - The period from June 2011 to November 2012
poses no new reliability or adequacy concerns for Ontario's power
system, said the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) in its
latest 18-Month Outlook.

More than 2,500 megawatts (MW) of new and refurbished generation is
expected to be connected to Ontario's bulk power system over the next
18 months. This includes the anticipated return of two refurbished
Bruce nuclear units, the addition of approximately 400 MW of gas-fired
generation in York Region and the construction of approximately 700 MW
of grid-connected renewable generation. This new grid-connected wind
supply comprises 500 MW contracted under the Feed-in Tariff (FIT)
program and 200 MW from the Renewable Energy Supply III Program, which
brings Ontario's total renewable portfolio to 2,000 MW on the
IESO-connected grid and 2,700 MW on the distribution system.

In the meantime, two units at Nanticoke will be shut down by December
31, 2011, reducing the installed capacity of coal-fired generation by
980 MW to 3,504 MW.

"Exports have played a significant role in managing Surplus Baseload
Generation (SBG) conditions in the past and the IESO will continue to
utilize exports and other available options to address the SBG that is
expected over the 18-month period," said Bruce Campbell, Vice President
of Resource Integration. "The IESO's priority is to integrate
renewables into its dispatch processes and maintain efficient and
reliable scheduling and commitment of Ontario's generation resources."

The next 18 months will see demand for electricity influenced by two
opposing factors. Economic and population growth will push demand
higher, while conservation programs and embedded generation will offset
these expected increases. Overall energy consumption is expected to
grow by 0.5 per cent in 2011 and 1.9 per cent in 2012.

The IESO regularly assesses the adequacy and reliability of Ontario's
power system. The 18-Month Outlook is issued on a quarterly basis and
is available at www.ieso.ca/18-month.outlook.

The IESO is responsible for managing Ontario's bulk electricity power
system and operating the wholesale market. For more information, please
visit www.ieso.ca.